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<IGEOGRAPHYt>^

-OF-

Montgomery County.

Descriptive Qeogmphg

-OF-

]V[ontgorT9etg County,

-WITH-

\ — -^

j4istorical Explanations and jStotes.

\^ BY WlLililAM H. BAHKLiEY.

AMSTERDAM, N. Y. :
DAILY DEMOCRAT PRINT,

1892

(

2^V^^0 X

>vsv^

Entered according to Act of Congress

in the Year 1892, by

WILLIAM H. BARKLEY,

in the office of the Librarian of Congress,

at Washington.

f\.^

ns'i-

PREFACE.

• HE object of this little book is to furnish a
limited amount of local information as a basis
for arousing an interest among our teachers and
pupils in the geography and history of Mont-

?gomery county.
Local history is a subject of great interest
at the present day, and as its value to the future his-
torian is generally recognized, the intelligent
portion of every community will do its share toward
completing the record.

But the author also believes that arousing an inter-
est in local affairs among the young will beget a spirit
of pride in home and country that will make the fu-
ture men and women better and more patriotic citizens.

In the words of another : "We make a ple.a for the
study of local history in our schools. Teach the
children to be proud of their home by making them
familiar with the record of their people. Inspire them
with a love of their own beautiful hills and streams,
for there are none more beautiful anywhere."

We plead for more interest among our teachers in
local geography.

The author has endeavored to make the work as
accurate as possible. However, should any errors or
important omissions be discovered, he would be grati-
fied to have his attention called to them in order that
the'corrections might be made in future editions.

It remains to acknowledge the generous assistance
of several experience teachers among whom I will
mention Supt. Julius W. Kimball, of Amsterdam,
School Commissioner John H. Weinmann, of Fonda,
Ex-Principal Lewis Yerdon, of Fort Plain, Ex-Com-
missioner Seely Conover, of Amsterdam, and Supt.
J. G. Serviss, of Amsterdam.

Mr. Kimball and Mr. Weinmann read and criticised
the work in manuscript.

Mr. Conover, Mr. Serviss and Mr. Kimball read the
proof-sheets and made important suggestions.

Mr. Yerdon granted the favor of allowing us to use
passages of narration from Simm's ''Frontiersman of
New York."

WM. H. BARKLEY.

Fort Hunter, N. Y.

October ist^ iSgz.

Descriptioip o? jVIontgonQerg County.

Towns.

1. (a) In what county do you live ? (b) How long
is it? (c) How wide is it?

2. State briefly the topography ot the county.
Ans. The surface of Montgomer}^ county slopes

gently toward the east, and, on both sides of the
Mohawk, the slope is toward the river.

Each town is considerably diversified by hills, val-
leys, and ravines, making the scener}^ beautiful and
impressive.

The fertile farms, the many and varied manufac-
tories, together with the general industry of her
people, make the county one ot much importance.

3. Locate the county.

6 TOWNS.

Ans. In the east central part ot the state.

4. How many towns in the county ?
Afts. Ten towns.

5. Give, in order, their names,

Ans. Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Charleston, Flo-
rida, Glen, Minden, Mohawk, Palatine, Root, and
Saint Johnsville,

6. How many towns on the north side of the
river ?

Ans. Four.

7. Name the towns, commencing at the east,
Ans. Amsterdam, Mohawk, Palatine, and St.

Johnsville.

8. How many towns on the south side ot the
river ?

Ans. Six.

9. Name the towns, commencing at the east.

Ans. Florida, Glen, Charleston, Root, Canajoha-
rie, and Minden.

10. Bound the town in which you live.

11. Bound Montgomery county by counties.

Ans. Bounded on the north by Fulton, on the
east b}' Saratoga and Schenectady, on the south by
Schenectady, Schoharie, and Otsego, and on the
west by Herkimer.

TOWNS.

12. In what latitude is the county ?
Alts. About 43° north.

Note.— The parallel 43 extends across the northwest corner
of St. Johns ville.

13. What is the longitude of 3'our county ?
A7ts. The county lies between meridians 74^ and

75^ west irom Greenwich, England, and between
meridians 2^ and 3" east from Washington, United

States.

14. What is the size of your county?

Ans. About four hundred square miles.

15. Give the population of the county.
Alls. .About. 46,000.

16. How is the population divided among the
several towns and the city, according to the census

of 1892?

Ans. Amsterdam city by wards:

First Ward— ist election district, 1,504; 2nd elec-
tion district, 2,167; 3rd election district, 1,139.

Second Ward— ist election district, 1,492; 2nd elec-
tion district, 1,818; 31-d election district, 1,875.

Third Ward— ist election district, 1,906; 2nd elec-
tion district, 1,080.

Fourth Ward— ist election district, 2,245; 2nd

election district, 1,421.

8 CITY.

Fifth Ward — ist election district, i,8oi.

Amsterdam (town) — Pop. 2,997.

Canajoharie — Pop. 4,215.

Charleston — Pop. 1,1 11.

Florida — Pop. 2,132.

Glen— Pop. 2,535.

Minden — Pop. 4,958.

Mohawk— Pop. 2,788.

Palatine — Pop- 2,404.

Root — Pop. 1,955.

St. Johnsville — Pop. 2,292.

City.

17. How many cities has the county ?
Ans, It has one city.

18. Name the city.
Ans. Amsterdam.

Villages.

19. How many incorporated villages has the
county ?

Ans. It has eight.

20. Give the names and locations of the incorpo-
rated villages.

VILLAGES. 9

Ans. Canajoharie, in the town ot Canajoharie;
Fort Plain, in the town of Minden; Palatine Bridge,
in the town of Palatine; Nelliston, in the town of
Palatine; Fonda, in the town of Mohawk; Fulton-
ville, in the town oi Glen; St. Johnsville, in the
town of St, Johnsville, and Rockton, in the town of
Amsterdam.

21. Give the names and locations of the principal
hamlets, or unincorporated villages.

A?is. (a) Cranesville, Fort Johnson, Hagaman's
Mills, and i^Tribes Hill in the town of Amster-
dam, (b) Ames, Buel, and Sprout Brook, in the
town of Canajoharie. (c) Burtonville, Charleston 4
Corners, and Rider's Corners, in the town of Charles-
ton, (d) Fort Hunter, Minaville, and Scotch Bush,
in^the town of Florida, (e) Auriesville, Mill Point,
and Glen, in the town ot Glen, (1) Berryville and
Sammonsville, in the town of Mohawk, (g) Randall,
(R. R. station Downing), Rural Grove, Lyker's
Corners, and Sprakers, in the town of Root,
(h) Brookman's Corner, Frey's Bush, Ford's
Bush, Mindenville, Salt Springville, Hallsville,
and Valley Brook, in the town of Minden.
(i) Stone Arabia, in the town of Palatine, (j) Up-
per St. Johnsville, in the town of St. Johnsville.

10 MOUNTAINS AND HILLS.

3Iountaiiis and Hills.

22. What is a mountain?

A?zs, A mountain is a h\gh elevation of land hav-
ing" steep sides and rough towering- peaks. •

23. Name and locate a mountain.

24. What is a hill ? .

Afis. It is an elevation of land not so high and
rough as a mountain

25. Name the highest hill in Montgomery county.

Alls. Oak Ridge, in the town of Charleston.

26. How hi"h is Oak Rid2:e above the level of

the sea ?

A /IS. 1.446 teet.

27. (a) Name the highest land in the town ot
Amsterdam, (b) How high is it?

Ans, (a) The rise ot ground about the Lutheran
church, West Amsterdam, (b) It is 711 feet high.

28. Name and locate the hiohest land in the town
of Canajohaiie.

A?is. Mapletown is on a rise of ground of 1,213
feet.

29. Name and locate the highest land in the town
of Florida.

Ajis. "Bean Hill" is 1,063 feet high. It is in the
south central part of the town.

MOUNTAINS AND HILLS. II

Note. — It is held by some that "Bean Hill" is the highest point
in the county, but statistics are to the contrary.

30. Locate the highest land in the town of Glen.
Ans. The hill east of the village ot Glen. It is

1,081 feet high.

31. Name and locate the highest hill in the town
of Mohawk.

Atis Van Deusen's hill in the western part of the
town. It is 955 feet high.

32. Name and locate the highest hill in the town
of Palatine,

Ans. Rickard's hill in the north central part. It
is 1,029 leet high.

33. Name and locate the highest hill in the town
of Minden.

Aj/s. VVillit'shill in the westerl}' part of the town.
It is 894 feet high.

34. Name and locate the highest land in the town
of Root.

A?is. The land in the vicinity of Currytown. It
is 896 feet high.

35. Name and locate the highest land in the town
ol St. Johnsville.

Ans, Just north of the village ol St, Johnsville.
It is 676 feet high.

12 MOUNTAINS AND HILLS.

Note. — The above figures are accurate, as they were copied
direct from the New York State Surveyor's Report of 1883 .

36. NaQie the prominent "banks" that are found
along- the Schoharie river in this county.

Ans, The "ledges" and the "blue bank,"

Note I.-The "ledges" are in the town of Charleston, and are said
to be 300 feet in height. Within these "ledges" there is quite a
large cave, but owing to the smallness of the opening many hesi-
tate about going in. Those who have ventured into it say, "That
it is worth one's while to visit and enter it.''

Note II. — The "blue bank'' is in the town of Glen, two miles
above Fort Hunter. Its vertical height is something over 175
feet.

You can approach the top by the old Indian trail, and look over
into the deep water below. It affords a fine view, and a profita-
ble half-day can be well-spent there.

37, Describe Schenck's Hollow,

Ans. It is a deep ravine which has been formed
by the water of the Kanagara creek. The highway
leads along it. The rugged rocks, projecting here
iind there, while down deep in the bottom, the cold
clear water ripples over its rough bed, which, min-
gling with the songs ot birds, under the canopy ot
a dense foliage, together with the thought of being

RIVERS. IS

hurled into it, brings on a peculiar sensation not
easily described.

Note.— An important cave is located in the rock, just above
Randall.

At the opening, there is a very small entrance, but as you crawl
in, the aperture gradually incre ases until one comes into much
larger space, which is divided into chambers of different sizes.

As you go into it, you descend, no doubt, to the river level, as
a spring of pure cold water is in one of the lowest chambers.

It can be explored but with much difficulty . It is named Mitch-
ell's cave for, it is said, its discoverer.

38. Locate some of the most interesting ravines
and gorges in your vicinity.

j^OTE.— The gorge in the Dadanoscava creek is a fine one. Many
historic legends are associated with it, and an "Indian pond'"
is still found there to add lustre to its romantic beauty. It is lo-
cated north of the DeGraff residence in the town of Mohawk.

Rivers.

39. Name a river that flows through the county.
Ajis. Mohawk.

40. Name a river that enters the county from the

south.

14 ISLANDS.

Ans. Schoharie river.

41. Describe the Mohawk.

42. Why was the Mohawk so named ?

Afis. It was named for a tribe of Indians, called the
("Maquaes") Mohawks, who formerly lived on its banks
in this county.

43. Which way does the Mohawk flow ?
Ans. Toward the east.

44. Why does it flow in that diiection ?

Ans. Because the land slopes in that direction.

45. Describe the Schoharie.

46. Why was the Schoharie so named ?

Ans. It was named for the Indians, known as the
""Schoharies," who formerly lived in what is now Scho-
harie county, which is on its banks.

Islands.

47. What is an island ? Ans. A body of land sur-
rounded by water.

48. (a) Are there any islands in Montgomery
county ? (b) Where ? Ans. (b) In the Mohawk river,
and in the Schoharie river,

49. Name and locate the three largest islands in the
Mohawk.

Ans. Pepper's island. Howard's island, and Bron-

CANALS. 15

son's island, in the Mohawk between Fort Hunter and
Amsterdam city.

Note I. — Pepper's island is said to contain an area of fifty acres;
while Howard's island contains about thirty acres, and Bronson's
island is smaller than Howard's.

Note II. ^ — There are some smaller islands scattered along at vari-
ous points in the Mohawk, that are not of particular note.

Broom corn was grown quite extensively on these islands some
years ago, but tlie farmers here can not now compete with tha
western farmers in quality or in prices, so the raising of broom
corn is a lost pursuit to us.

Common crops are now produced on these islands: as, hay,
wheat, and corn.

50. Name and locate an island in the Schoharie
river.

Ans. The large island at Burtonville.

Note. — The island at Burtonville is of especial interest as it con-
tains a very valuable nursery, besides many residences.

51. What is a nursery?

Ans. A place where young trees, shrubs, and vines,
etc,, are propagated for the purpose of transplanting.

Canal.

52. What is a canal ?

Ajis. It is an artificial channel, generally seventy

l6 RAILROADS.

feet wide, seven feet deep, filled with water, for the
purpose of affording cheap transportation.

53. What canal extends through the county ?
Ans. Erie Canal.

Note,— Boats and rafts pass through the canal, drawn by mules
or horses, and in some cases, the boats are propelled by steam power.

Railroads.

54. What is a railroad ?

Ans. A railroad is a road, having iron or steel rails,
resting upon ties; and it is intended for the easy trans-
portation of merchandise by means of cars.

55. Name the railroads that traverse the entire
length of the county.

Ans. New York Central and Hudson River railroad,
and the West Shore railroad.

56. How many railroads in the county?

A7ts. Four, which are in use, and one which is in
process of construction.

57. Locate the railioads in our county.

Ajts. The N. Y. C. and H. R. R. R., lying on the
north bank of the Mohawk; the West Shore R. R., ly_
inor on the south bank of the Mohawk; the Fonda
Johnstown, and Gloversville R. R. extending from
Fonda in a northerly direction to Northville; the Ams-

RAILROADS. 17

terdam and Rockton electric R. R., in the city of
Amsterdam; and the Fonda, Johnstown, and Glovers-
ville electric R. R. when completed, will extend from
Fonda to Gloversville.

58. How are the cars propelled?

Ans. They are propelled by steam or electricity.

59. How many tracks has the N. Y. C. and H. R.
R. R. in our county ?

Ans. Four.

60. How many tracks has the West Shore ?
Ans. Two.

61. Name a railroad that has its southern terminus
in our county.

Ans. F. J. and G. R. R.

62. At what point in our county does the F. J. and
G. R. R. touch ?

63. Give the length of the county in miles by rail-
roads.

Ans. About 39 miles.

64. How many trains pass daily over the several
railroads ?

Ans. The number varies. Some days as many as
125 trains will pass over the N. Y. C. and H. R. R. R.
but not so many over the West Shore,

iS PRODUCTIONS.

Productions.

T\\Q productions of the county are of three kinds —
agricultural, manufactured, and mineral.

Agricultural productions are those produced by
farmers, manufactured productions are those pro-
duced by manufacturers, and mineral productions
are mined from the earth.

64, Name the goods manufactured in Amsterdam
city. . ,

Ans. Carpets, knitted goods, brooms, springs,
linseed oil, boilers, paper boxes, silk goods, beer,,
malt, waterwheels, caskets, paper, cigars, clothing,
soda water, rugs, bricks, and all kinds of house build-
ing material; as sash, blinds, and d(Jors.

66. Name the principal goods manufactured iii
each town.

Ans. Amsterdam; paper boxes, knitted goods,
lumber, and rugs.

Canajoharie; paper bags, candy, beer, flour, feed,
cider and wagons.

Charleston; wagons, sleighs, flour, feed, cotton
yarn, lumber, cider, and wine.

Florida; brooms, wagons, sleighs, cider, wine, and
cultivators.

Glen; silk goods, brooms, stoves, lumber, cider,

PRODUCTIONS. 19

water wheels, castings, flour, feed, and heel insoles.

Minden; springs, axles, paper boxes, furniture,
broom machinery, beer, flour axle-boxes, feed, con-
densed milk, knitted goods, hose-bands, wagons, silk
goods, leather, gloves, mittens, and cider.

Mohawk; knitted goods, paper, wagons, soda wa-
ter, flour, feed, tile, and cider.

Palatine; vinegar, cider, and bale hay wire.

Root; cider, wagons and lumber.

St. Johnsville; thrashing machines, pianos, piano
actions, wagons, sleighs, knitted goods, condensed
milk, filth wheels, carriage lorgings. flour, feed, lum-
ber, bricks, and cider.

6j. Name the prmcipal agricultural productions
of the county.

Ans. Horses, cows, sheep, swine, wool, hides, but-
ter, cheese, wheat, corn, oats, hay, rye, buckwheat,
Irish potatoes, flax, hops, beans, apples, pears, plums,
grapes, and lumber,

68. Name the mineral productions of the county^

Ans, Gold, copper, zinc, lead ore, clay, limestone,
and sand.

Note I. — Lead ore in small quantities has been found along the
banks of Flat creek in the town of Root, and gold, copper, zinc,

20 PRODUCTIONS.

and lead have been obtained from veins, along the East Canada
creek in St. Johnsville.

Note II. — Limestone is found in abundance in the towns of Am-
sterdam, Canajoharie, Florida, Mohawk, Palatine, Root, and St.
Johnsville.

69. For what purpose is lime stone used?

A?is, Houses, house foundations, bridge abut-
ments, culverts, and for the manufacture of lime.

70. For what purpose is sand used?

71. For what purpose is clay used?

72. What is the principal kind of rock found in
Montgomery county ?

Ans. The Utica shale with a considerable amount
of slate mixed with it.

73. What is a spring?

74. What is a mineral spring ?

Ans. A mineral spring is a spring whose water
contains enough mineral ni solution to character-
ize it.

75. Name and locate a prominent mineral spring.

Ans. The Powder spring in the southern part of
the town ot Florida.

Note.— "Its waters have been analyzed, and are deemed effica-
cious in rheumatism and cutaneous diseases."

y6. Name any other spring whose waters con-
tain mineral in solution.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 21

Note. — Sulpher springs are found in nearly every town in the
county.

Historical Questions and Answers.

1. What name was first given to the territory in
this part of the state ?

Ans. It was called Albany.

2. What name did it next receive?
Ans. Tryon.

3. (a) When was it changed to Tryon ? (b) Why?
Alls, (a) In 1772. "In honor of Governor William

Tryon, the first colonial Governor of New York.

4. When and why v/as the name Tryon changed to
Montgomery ?

Ans. In 1784. Because Governor Tryon's rule had
become obnoxious to the people.

5. Why was the county named Montgomery ?
Ans. *Tn honor of General Richard Montgomery

who fell, crowned with imperishable fame, at Quebec,
December 31, 1775

6. What is a castle ?

Note.— The first mention made in history of castles, is in Num-
bers 31 :10 in the Bible.

7. How many castles or forts were located In this
county, at different times?

22 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Ans. Seven.

8. Of the seven, where were the two most im-
portant ones located.?

Ans. The "Upper Castle" was at or near Canajo-
harie, and the "Lower Castle" was at Fort Hunter.

9. Locate the other five.

Ans. Fort Plain, Fort Johnson, Palatine, Tribes Hill,
and Caughnaughwaga.

10. Where was the "Painted Rock" ?

Ans. On the north side of the Mohawk at Amster-
dam city.

Note. — A pleasing poem has been written in commemoration of
these.

11' Where was the famous "Warrior Tree" ?
JLns. In the southeast part of the town of Glen.

12. Why called a "Warrior Tree" ?

Ans. It was a huge white oak tree, and it had a
canoe painted upon it with Indian warriors in it.

13. Name the tribe of Indians that formerly lived
in this county?

A?is. The "Maquaes" (Mohawks.)

14. Name the six successive means of transport-
ation which have been or are used in this county.

Ans. I. The "Pack Horse" employed by the Ind-
ians and early settlers, on trails through the woods.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 23

II. Wagons and sleighs clumsily made, drawn by
horses over rude roads.

III. Improved wagons and sleighs drawn by horses
and oxen over improved state roads.

IV. "Flat Boats" propelled by men on the Mo-
hawk, who pushed them up and down the river with
long poles.

V. The Erie Canal, ('^Clinton's Ditch",)

VI. Railroads.

15. When was th^ Mohawk used for transportation ?
Ans. By the Indians, and from 1800 to 1825 by our

people.

16. For what is the Canajoharie creek noted be-
sides its water oower ?

Ans, Canajoharie falls.

Note, — These falls are quite a natural curiosity and are visited
by many. They are about one mile south of the village, and have
a fall probably of fifty feet.

17. Name the streams, with their Indian names,
that flow into the Mohawk from the south, in this
county..

Ans. Nowadaga, at Indian Castle; Otsquago, at Fort
Plain; Canajoharie, at Canajoharie; Plattekill, at Sprak,
er's; Wasonthakill, at Randall; Oghrackie (Ariesville),
at Auriesville; Schoharie, at Fort Hunter; Little Chuc-

24 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

tanunda, at Amsterdam city (fifth ward); and the Cow-
ilia, at a point opposite Cranesville

1 8. Name the streams, with their Indian names,
that flow into the Mohawk from the north, in this
county.

Ans. Garoga, at ''Palatine Stone Church;" Kanag-
ara, at Schenck's place; Cayadutta, at Fonda; Dadanos-
cara, at DeGraff's place; Kayaderosseros, at Fort John-
son; Chuctanunda, at Amsterdam city; and Evaskill,
at Cranesville.

Note. — Others that flo w into the Mohawk'^have not Indian
names, and they are not named above. They are Crum's, Fox's,
and Zimmerman's — all in St Johnsville.

19. Name the largest "tributary of the Mohawk in
our county. Ans. The Schoharie.

Note. — It rises in Greene county, flows north through Schoharie
county and along Schnectaday county, into Montgomery at Burton-
ville, emptying into the Mohawk at Fort Hunter. It is seventy
miles long, and, on account of its many falls, it affords extensive
water power.

20. Are there any of these creeks noted for their
scenery? Ans. They are.

Note.— Nearly all of these streams have cut their way through
the slate and shale rock, forming, in many instances, deep and
beautiful gorges and ravines.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 25

21. What place in the county is noted for rattle-
snakes ?

Ans. Just above Yost's station on the north side of
the Mohawk.

Note. — "The percentage of persons dying from the effect of a
snake-bite is very small. In many cases fear is more fatal than
the poison . Hence the snake that has bitten should be immediate-
ly killed, and its mouth examined for fangs. If they are not found,
all anxiety may cease at once, with regard to all our land snakes.
If discovered, the only known remedy is some form of alcoholic
drink, which should be taken as speedily as possible in large quanti-
ties till intoxication results, which is a sign that the poison is neu-
tralized."

If one cannot become intoxicated, death fron the bite, it is said,
is quite sure to follow.

22. How many rifts of importance in the Mohawk
in Montgomery county ? Ans. Five,

23. Name and locate them, and for what purpose
were they used in early times?

Ans. Fort Hunter rift, at Fort Hunter; Caughna-
waga rift, at Fonda; Keator's rift, at Sprakers; Brandy-
wine rift, at Indian Castle.

Note. — Keator's rift is the largest one, having a fall of 10 feet

in a short distance. They were the principal bridges, used in cross-
ing the river.

24. From what country did the white people come,

26 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,

who first settled in this .county ? «

A/is. Holland.

25. Why were Fort Plain, Canajoharie, Amsterdam,
Fort Hunter, Fort Johnson, Tribes Hill, Mohawk, and
Palatine so named ?

Ans Fort Plain was named, because of the military
post established there; Canajoharie is of Indian origin,
meaning ^' The pot that washes itself;'' Amsterdam, for
Amsterdam in Holland; Fort Hunter, for the fort
erected there by Governor Robert Hunter; Fort John-
> son, for the fort erected by Sir William Johnson;
Tribes Hill, for the Indian Tribes that were located
there; Mohawk, for the river; Palatine, for the people
that emigrated from Germany.

26. Where is the Stone Arabia battle ground?
Ans. At Stone Arabia, which is in the north cen

tral part of the town of Palatine.

27 When and during what war was a battle fought
there?

Ans. A battle was fought there on the 19th day of
October, 1 780, during the Revolutionary War.

Note. — The Americans were defeated in this battle

The Americans lost their leader. Col. John Brown, who was
greatly admired by his soldiers.

A monument has been erected there to perpetuate liis name.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, 27

He was an honest, a fearless, and an aggressive man, who knew
no such word as fail.

28. Why was the town of Florida so named?

Aus. Florida was named for the great fertility of

its soil.

29. Why was the town of Charleston so named ?
Ans. For Charles Van Epps, who was born some-
time about 1793.

Note. — Young Van Epp's father was one of the first white set-
tlers who located at Fulton ville about the year 1793

The land of which Glen, Root, and Charlston is now composed
was, at that time, called Charleston-

30. Why was the town of Glen so named ?

A7ts. In honor of Jacob Saunders Glen, a native of
the town.

31. Why was the town of Minden so named?
Ans. Minden was named by early white settlers

who came there from Germany.

It is said that the place from which they came was
called Minden.

32. Why was the town of Root so named?

Ans, Root was named for the Hon. Erastus Root
of Delaware county. He was a State Senator at the
time when Root was set off from Charleston.

33. Why was the town of^St, Johnsville so named ?

28 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,

Ans. St Johnsville was named for Alexander St.
John, a noted surveyor at that time.

34. Why was the Evaskill so named ?

Ans, Because Mrs. Eva Van Alstyne was killed and
scalped while crossing it,

35. Why was the Aurieskill so named ?

Ans. For an Indian warrior by the name of Aaron,
which was blended by them into Aries, hence the
Auriesville creek.

Note. — Aries is the Dutch of Aaron, but the Indians could not
say Aaron, hence Aries.

36. Why were the Chuctanunda creeks so called ?
Ans. The Teuchtanonda, or "Little Chuctanunda,

and the Tinghtananda' or Chuctanunda, are of Indian
origin. The former, an outlet of a small lake, located
at Mariaville, Schnectady county, and the latter, an out-
let of the great Galway reservoir, located in the town
of Galway, Saratoga county, are of especial interest.

The names signify (according to Spafford) ''stony
bottom.''

Note.— Twin Sisters is another name given them.

37. What tract of land was known as Tionondogue ?
Ans. It was the name of the land at the mouth of

the Schoharie river. The word is now written Tien-

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 29

onderoga, and means ^^a cleared fields

38. Why was Rural Grove* so named ?J

A71S. For the lofty grove of elms bordering on the
west side of the village,

39. Locate Cadaughrita, and give origin of name.
Ans, It is located midway between Auriesville and

Mill Point, and is said to have received its name from
a favorite Indian maiden. It is also said to mean
'^ a perpendicular wall, or bankT

40. Locate Oswegatchie, and give its supposed
origin.

Ans. It is located in the eastern part of the town
of Palatine. For the Indians who last lived there, and
who emigrated from the banks of the St. Lawrence.
They were called ''Praying Indians!'

41. What land was known as Otsquago ?

Ans. Otsquago, an Indian word, was the name of
the land in the vicinity of Fort Plain.

42. Give origin of the word Schoharie.

AnsXt is of Indian origin, possibly a Mohawk Indian
word which signifies ""drift zvood!'

43. When was the first bridge built over the Mo-
hawk at Amsterdam ? ,

Ans, About the year 1823,

30 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

44. When was the bridge, over the Mohawk at Fort
Hunter, built ?

Ans. In 1852

Note. — It is the only toll bridge in existence in the county at
present. All bridges across the Mohawk in early times, were toll
bridges

A movement is on foot now to make the Fort Hunter bridge a
free one.

- .»

45. When and where was the first bridge built at
Fonda, over the Mohawk ?

Ans. In 181 1, at Caughnawaga.

46. When and where was the first bridge built over
the Mohawk in this county ?

Ans. In 1803, at Canajoharie.

47. In what year was a bridge built at Fort Plain,
over the Mohawk ?

Ajts. In 1806.

48. Give the date when the first bridge was built at
St. Johnsville, over the Mohawk *"

Ans. In 1852.

49. Was there ever a bridge over the Mohawk at
Yost's Station ?

Ans. There was.

Note.— It was, after much trouble, erected in 1835, and soon
after swept away by ice.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 3 1

50. When and where was the first bridge built in
Montgomery county ?

Ans. In 1797, over the Schoharie, at Fort Hunter.

Note. — Fine bridges now span the Mohawk at Amsterdam. Fort
Hunter, Fonda, Canajoharie, and Fort Plain. At St Jolinsville,
they still have the "old wooden bridge," also a part of the Canajo-
harie bridge is an example of "ye olden times."'

Three large bridges span the Schoharie in this county — one at
Mill Point, one at Burton ville, and the W. S. R. R., bridge at Fort
Hunter. The former is iron, the second one is both wood and iron
and the third is iron.

The one at Burtonville is the property of Charleston, Montgomery
county, and Duanesburgh, Schenectady county.

51. Who invented the first elemental principles of
the mowing machine ;

Ans, Enoch Ambler, a native of Rural Grove, Mont-
gomery county.

Note. — The patent was executed by Andrew Jackon, under the
seal of state, December 23, 1834.
McCormick, by some hook or crook, stole the honor.

52. Who invented the Wagner Palace car?
Ans, Webster Wagner, of Palatine Bridge.

Note.— The Hon. Webster Wagner, President of the Wagner
Palace Car Company, met his death while riding in one of the cars
of his own invention, on the N* Y. C. and H. R. R. R., near New
York city.

32 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

53. During the Revolutionary War, what battle
was fought in Herkimer county ?

Aus, The ''Battle of Oriskany,"

54. When was the battle of Oriskany fought ?
A71S, On the 6th day of August in the year 1777.

55. Who commanded the (a) Americans? (b) The
British and Indians?

A?is. a) General Nicholas Herkimer; (b Col. Barry),
St. Leger, Joseph Brant (chief of the Mohawks), John
Johnson, and John Butler,

56. Did the Americans or British win in this battle?
Ans. The Americans.

57. Was this battle an important one ?
Ans. It was.

58. Why was it important ?

Ans. Because it saved this county from the dep-
redations of the Tories and Indians' and kept St. Le-
gea from joining Burgoyne at Ticonderoga.

Note. — "The battle of Oriskany was one of the most severely
contested battles, and one of the most important in its results of
any fought during the whole war."

The reason we speak of this battle, is, because of the fact that the
greater number of men in Herkimer's army were Montgomery
(Tryon) county farmers— mainly Germans, decendants of the Pal-
atinates. General Herkimer was their commander. He called
for all men between the ages of sixteen and sixty, and taking 800

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 33

men, poorly armed, set forth to help his country-men at Fort Stan-
wix (Rome). They met the enemy, and defeated them in a battle
lasting five hours.

It was the bloodiest battle of the Revolution.

Herkimer was mortally wounded, but Burgoyne's expedition
was doomed; Oriskany decided largely its fate. This battle "of
all the Revolution" brings glory to Montgomery county.

Here her farmers stopped the tide of invasion ; freed from fear
on the west they turned eastward to defeat Burgoyne.

Had the British won in this battle, they would have joined Bur-
goyne at the north; and Burgoyne and St. Leger, with their com-
bined forces, would have cut off the communications of the Amer-
icans between the New England and Middle States, thus sadly
crippling the Americans.

59. What General had charge of the military affairs
of this vicinity during the Revolution ?

Ans. General Philip Schuyler.

60. What Regiment was raised (in part) in this
county during the Civil war ?

Ans, The 115th New York Volunteer Infantry.

61. Who was the colonel of this regiment ?
Alts. Col. Simeon Sammons.

62. Name the battles which were participated in by
this regiment, or a part of it.

Ans. Maryland Heights, Sept. 13th, 1862.
Bolivar Heights, Va., Sept. 15th, 1862.
West Point, Va„ Jan, 8th, 1863.

34 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. /th, 1864.

Camp Finegan, Fla., Feb. 8th, 1864.

Baldwin, Fla,, Feb. 9th, 1864.

Sanderson, Fla., Feb. iith, 1864.

Callahan Station, Fla., Feb. 14th. 1864.

Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20th, 1864.

Palatka, Fla , March loth. 1864.

Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 5th. 1864.

Chesterfield Heights, Va., May 7, 1864.

Old Church, Va., May 9th, 1864.

Weir Bottom Church, Va., May 12th, 1864.

Drury's Bluff, Va , May 14th, 1864.

Proctor's Creek and Port Walthall, Va„ May i6th,
1864,

Cold Harbor, Va., June ist, 1864.
Chickahominy, Va., June, ist 1864.
Petersburgh, Va„ June 23rd. 1864.
Burnside Mine, Va., July 30th, 1864.
Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. i6th and i8th, 1864.
Fort Gilmer, Va., Sept. 29th, 1864.
Darbytown Road, Va., Oct. 27th. 1864.
Fort Fisher, N. C, Dec, 25th, 1864.
Fort Fisher, N. C, Jan. 15th, 1865.
Fort Anderson, N. C, Feb, 19th, 1865.
Sugar Loaf Battery, N. C, Feb. 20th, 1865.

HISTORICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 35

Wilm'ington, N. C, Feb. 22nd, 1865.

Note. — In writing the above list of battles of the lloth N. Y.
Volunteer Infantry, we record the acts of a noble body of men,
whose deeds are already written in blood, and inscribed high up in
the roll of Fame.

It was named the "Iron Hearted Regiment by General Seymour.

Out of a total of nearly eleven hundred men, less than two hun-
dred of the original members were mustered out of service.

63, What other regiment besides the 115th, was
raised (in part) in Montgomery county?

Afts. The 153d.

Note. — Its men distinguished themselves in many hard fought
battles during the Rebellion.

64. Name the engagements that the 153d reg-
iment, New York State Volunteer Infantry, partici-
pated in the War of the RebelHon.

Ans. Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8th, 1864.

Pleasant Hill, La., April 9th, 1864.

Cane River Crossing, La., April 23d, 1864,

Mansure Plains, La., May i6th, 1864.

Opequan, Va., Sept. 19th, 1864.

Winchester, Va., Sept. 19th, 1864.

Fisher Hill, Va., Sept. 22nd, 1864.

New Market, Va., Sept. 24th, 1864.

Cedar Creek, Va,, Oct. 19th, 1864.

36 FORTS.

Forts.

Note I, — The old fort, or stone mansion, at Fort Johnson,
erected by Sir William Johnson about the year 1744, is now
used as a summer residence.

Note II. — Queen Anne's Chapel Parsonage at Fort Hunter,
which was erected during the reign of Queen Anne, about the
year of 1712, is used to-day as a residence.

Note III. — The fort at Canajoharie, which is still standing, is
of Revolution ar)^ fame, and, according to history, has had sever-
al different names.

Many relics are on exhibition there. The -Mohawk Valley
Historical Society has charge of it at the present time.

Civil Goveriiineiit.

1. What is a county ?

A?is. It is one of the largest political divisions ot
a state,

2. What political divisions torm counties?
Ans. Towns.

3. What are the divisions of a town?

Ans. Villages, school districts, election districts,
assessor districts, and road districts.

4. What is a public officer ?

Ans. An officer elected or appointed to perform
prescribed public duties,

5. Who is the executive ofihcer ot a county ?
Ans. Sheriff.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 37

Who is the executive officer of a town ?
Ans. Constable.

6. Who is the executive officer of a city?
Ans, Mayor.

7. Who is the executive officer of a village ?
Ans. Police (or President),

8 Name the meeting- that takes place the second
Tuesday in February of each year in the several
towns; and for what purpose ?

Ans. Town meeting; tor the purpose ol electing
town officers.

9, When are the county officers elected ?

Ans. At the annual election which is held on
Tuesday after the first Monday in I^ovember.

10, What are the names of the officers in a town,
the number of officials in each, and their terms of
office?

Ans. I. One supervisor, elected for one year.

2. One town clerk, elected for one year.

3. Four justices of the peace, elected for four
years.

4. Three assessors, elected for three years.

5. One or three highway commissioners; if one
be elected, the term is one year; if three, the term is
three years.

3^ CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

6. One overseer ot the poor, elected for one year.

7. One collecter, elected lor one year.

8. Constables, not more than five, elected for one
year.

9. One g-ame constable, elected for one year.

10. Three excise commissioners, elected for three
years.

11. Three inspectors of election, term one year.

12. Sometimes a sealer of weights and measures.

11. Who occupy the above offices in your town,
a t present ?

12. Mention the chiet duties of each.

13. What are the names of the county officei'S,
the number of officials in the same office, and their
term ?

1. One sheriff, term three years.

2. One county judge, term six years.

3. One county clerk, term three years.

4. One treasurer, term three years.

5. One district attorney, term three years.

6. Four coroners, term four years,

7. One Superintendent of the poor, term three
years.

8. Two justices for sessions, term one year.

9. One school commissioner, term three years.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. ^9

14. Mention the chief duties of each.

15. What instrument defines the powers of a
city ?

Ans. A charter.

16. Name the titles of the officers elected in the
city of Amsterdam.

Ans, Mayor, treasurer, recorder, (police justice),
two justices of the peace, three assessors, five con-
stables, two aldermen in each ward, one supervisor
in a ward, superintendent of the poor, three inspec-
tors of election in each election district in a ward.

17. Name the city officials of your city. Men-
tion their chief duties.

18. Name the city officials, elected by the elec-
tors of the whole city.

19. Name the officials, elected in the wards by
the electors.

20. How" many wards in the city ?
A?is, Five.

21. How many election districts in the city of
Amsterdam ?

22. How many election districts in each town?
Ans. (a) Amsterdam (town) has four.

(b) Canajoharie has three.

40 SCHOOLS.

(d) Florida has two.

(e) Glen has four.

(f) Minden has five.

(g) Mohawk has three.
(h) Palatine has three.
(i) Root has three.

(i) St. Johnsville has two.

23. In what senatorial district is Montgomery
county ?

Ans, Twentieth.

24. Name the counties comprising it.

Ans. Montgomery, Saratoga, Herkimer and
Schenectady.

25. In what congressional district is Montgomery
county ?

Ans. Tw^enty-first.

26. Name the counties comprising it.

Ans. Otsego, Greene, Schoharie, Schenectady
and Montgomer}',

27. Who is your present congressman ?

28. Who is your present member of assembly ?

29. Who is your present state senator ?

Schools.

30. What is a school district?

SCHOOLS. 41

31. How many school districts in Montgomery

county ?

Ans. One hundred thirty-one.

32. How many school districts have their school-
house in the county ?

Ans. One hundred sixteen,

33. How many districts have their school-houses
in other counties ?

Ans. Fifteen.

34. How many districts with graded schools in

the county ?

Ans. Thirteen.

35. Locate the districts with graded schools.
Ans. Nos. 8 and 11, Amsterdam city (north side),

and No. 13 (south side) Amsterdam city.

One each at Rockton, Hagaman's Mills, Fort
Hunter, Fort Plain, Fonda, Fultonville, Canajoharic,
Palatine Bridge, Nelliston, and St. Johnsville,

36. How many school districts in each town?
Ans. Fourteen districts in the City and town of

Amsterdam (north side)?
Sixteen in Canajoharie;
Ten in Charleston;
Fifteen in Florida;
Nme in Glen;

4^ SCHOOLS,

Twenty in Minden;
Twelve in Mohawk;
Twelve in Palatine;
Fifteen in Root;
Eight in St. Johnsville.

37. How many school-houses supplied with flags
(1892)?

Ans Eighty (estimated).

38. How many school-houses ventilated by special
provision for admitting and warming fresh air, and
removing loul air?

Ans. Fifty (estimated).

39. How many schools are supplied with the
'Tri-County Course of Study"?

Ans, Nearly all.

40. How many schools are supplied with a large
map of New York state ?

Ans. Nearly all.

41. How many of the schools are supplied with a
copy of Ivison's combination chart?

Ans. Nearly all.

42. Name and locate the large private schools in
the county.

Ans. Amsterdam Academy, Clinton Liberal In-

SCHOOLS. 43

stitute, at Fort Plain, and St. Mary's Parochial In-
stitute at Amsterdam.

43. How many teachers are employed in the pub-
lic schools ol the county?

Ans. One hundred ninety.

44. How many children of school age attended
school in the county last year ?

45. How many trees have been planted on ''Ar-
bor day", since the day was desig^nated ?

Note.— Consult the State Superintendent's Reports of 1889, 1890,
1891, and 1892.

46. Who is the highest school officer in the dis-
trict ?

Ans. The trustee.

47. Who is the highest school officer in the
county?

Ans, School commissioner.

48. Who is the highest school officer in the
state ?

Ans, State superintendent of public instruction.

49. When does the school year end ?

Ans. July 25.

50. When does the school year begin?

Ans. July 26.

51. When does the annual school meeting take
place?

44 SCHOOLS.

Ans. On the first Tuesday in August.

52. How many weeks of school must be held in
each school district to entitle it to a share of the
public money ?

Ans. 32* weeks, of five school days each (includ-
ing institute week).

53. What are teachers required to do before the}^
can teach a legal public school ?

Ans. They are required to pass a uniform state
examination, secure a certificate, and make a legal
contract with a trustee.

54. What are the names of the officers in a school
district ?

Ans. I. Trustee or trustees; or a board of educa-
tion.

2, Clerk.

3, Collector.

4. Librarian.

5. Tieasuier (in Union Free School districts).

55. Mention their chief duties.

56. Who occupy the above offices in your school
district, at present r*

57. Do the school district officers get pay ?

A71S. None of them except the collector, who gets
I per cent, for the first 14 days, and 5 per cent, tor

POSTOFFICES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 45

the remaining two weeks, on all sums collected; and
the secretary of boards of education in some places.

Note. — If a warrant is renewed the collector gets 5 per cent,
on all sums collected.

Note. — In 1892, there were 7,905 children attending school out
of a total of 18,487 children of school age in the county.

They were taught by 190 teachers; of this number 40 were
Normal school graduates, and three were superintendents.

In the district libraries, there are 7,587 volumes. 104 districts
observed "Arbor Day"; while 356 trees were planted. The as-
sessed valuation of school districts was |26, 172,001, and the
amount raised by tax was $71,132.73; the county also received
$29,902.46 public money from the state.

Postoffices of Montgomery County.

58.. Name and locate the postof^ces of Mont-
gomery county.

Amsterdam city; Amsterdam.

Amsterdam (town); Cranesville, Fort Johnson, Ha-
garaan's Mills, Rockton, and Tribes Hill.

Canajoharie; Canajoharie, Buel, Ames, Marshville,
Sprout Brook, apd Blaine.

Charleston; Burtonville, Charleston Four Corners,
Oak Ridge, and Charleston.

Florida; Fort Hunter, Minaville, and Scotch Bush.

Glen; Mill Point, Fultonville, Auriesville, and
Glen,.

^6 REVIEW QUESTIONS.

Minden; Fort Plain, Minden, Hallsville. and Frey's

Bush.

Mohawk; Fonda.

Palatine; Palatine Bridge, Stone Arabia, and
Nelliston.

Root; Rural Grove, Sprakers, Randall, Lykers,
Currytown, and Flat Creek.

St. Johnsville; St. Johnsville.

59. Name the money order postoffices of the
county.

Ans. Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Fonda, Fort Hun-
ter, Fultonville, Fort Plain, and St. Johnsville.

PART II.
Review Questions.

1. In what part of the county is the town of Am-
sterdam ?

2. In what part of the county is the town of
CharlesccMi ?

3. In what part of the county is the town of
St, Johnsville ?

4. What is the name of the county seat?

5. What buildings belonging to the county are
located at Fonda ?

REVIEW QUESTIONS. 4/

6. Where is the Montgomery County Agricultu-
ral Society's grounds?

7. What is a county fair?

8. Where and by whom are the county court sX^itXdil

9. How manv kinds of juries are there?

10. Name the kinds of juries, numbered in the
above definition.

11. Locate Hagaman's Mills.

12. Locate Stone Arabia.

13. Locate Ames.

14. Locate Burtonville,

15. Locate Glen village.

16. Locate Mindenville.

17. Locate Mill Point.

18. What is a stage line ?

19. How are the mails carried to and irom rural
postofhces ?

20. Who pays for carrying the mails ?

21. Which railroad, the West Shore or the N. Y.
C. &H. R. K. R., carries the mails through this
county?

22. What is a "Star Route"?

23. Locate S|)rout Brook.

24. Locate Salt Springville.

25. Locate Minaville.

4B REVIEW QUESTIONS.

26. What is the principal use of hops ?

27. Is there much timber standing in our county?

28. (a) Should the woods, or forests, all be cut
away ? (b) Give reasons.

29. Of what use is wood ?

30. Name the kinds of trees found growing in our
woods, or forests, in the county.

31. (a) Which furnishes the better water power,
the Mohaw^k or the Schoharie? (b) Why?

32. (a) What is a dam ? (b) A beaver dam?

33. (a) What is a feeder? (b) How many in the
county ?

34. (a) What is a waste weir? (b) Locate one.

35. (a) What is a lock? (b) Describe one.

36. Why are there so many locks in the canal?

37. (a) What is a tow-path ? (b) A heel-path ?

38. What is a shrine ?

39. Why is the shrine located at Auriesville ?

40. Which direction would you go from Amster-
dam to Burtonville?

41. Which direction would you go, and by what
public conveyance, from Canajoharie to Ames?

42. What is a ''public conveyance ' ?

43. In what direction would you go, and by what

REVIEW QUESTIONS. 49

public conveyance, Irom Amsterdam to Hagaman's

Mills?

44. In what direction would you go, and by what
public conveyance, from St, JohnSville to Cranes

ville?

45. Name the stations passed through in travel-
ing between St. Johnsville and Cranesville, on the
N. Y. C.& H. R. R. R.

46. What is an aqueduct?

Note.— One of the large aqueducts of the state is located at
Fort Hunter: it is a fine structure of fourteen stone arches, hav-
ing a wooden trunk for the channel of the Erie canal over the Scho-
harie river.

47. (a) Who own railroads? (b) Canals?

48. What is a tax. and why levied ?

49. Name tivo kinds of taxes.

50. What is a dog tax ? Why levied ?

51. What is a poll tax ? VThy levied?

52. What is a school tax? Why levied?

53. How many supervisors in our county ?

54. Who is supervisor of your town or ward?

55. Who is town clerk of your town ?

56. Who is (or are) the trustee (or trustees) of
your school district ?

57. (a) Name the two large creeks that form

50 REVIEW QUESTIONS.

boundaries (in part) ot the county, (b) Which one
is on the east? (c) On the west?

58. Which one of the above streams is frequently
called a river ?

59. How many postoffices in Montgomery county?

60. How many money order postoffices in the
county ?

61. Give the number of your school district.

62. What is a grange ?

63. What IS a cave ? Locate one in Montgomery
county.

64. Locate the highest hill in the count}-.

65. Locate the highest hill in your town.

66. To what kingdom does water belong?

6y. Name the kinds of fish found in our local
streams.

68. What is a law ?

69. (a) What is a game-law ? (b) Why enforced?

70. What is the average width of our county ?

71. What is the average length of our county?
y2. Name the two principal occupations of the

people.

73. Give the area of the countv.

74. Who is the Surrogate's clerk?

75. Who is clerk of the board of Supervisors?

REVIEW QUESTIONS. 5^

'je. Who appoints the clerk ot the board of Su-
pervisors ?

'j^. Who is chairman of the board of Supervisors?

78. Who has control of the county jail?

79. How many voters, under the new ballot law,
constitute an election district ?

80. What town officers designate the places where
the ballots shall be deposited ?

81. At a fall election, who counts, or canvasses,

the ballots?

82. At a town meeting, who counts or canvasses,

the ballots?

83. Why are poll clerks appointed?

84. Why are ballot clerks appointed?

85. Name the path-master on your road beat.

86. How many road beats in your town?

87. (a) Who oversees, and causes the streets to
be repaired in a city ? (b) In a village ?

88. After the annual school meeting, who should
file with the town clerk the names ot the school offi-
cers elected ?

89. What should be done with a collector's bond
after the proper sureties have been secured?

90. Name six important industries of the city
of Amsterdam,

52 REVIEW QUESTIONS.

g[. (a) Who is your post-master? (b) How is he
paid for his work ?

92. Where is ''Young's Lake"?

93. Where is "Voorhees' Lake"?

Note. — It is supposed to have been the river course years ago:
Avhere these lakes are located.

The river has changed its course to the west, thus cutting off
itself, and forming the lakes out of its old bed.

The}' nestle in quiet little dells in the western part of the town
of Florida, along the Schoharie.

94. What is an electric railway?

95. What is a town caucus ?

96. What is a county convention ?

97. Who calls the town caucus to oidcr when it
assembles ?

98. Who callsthe county convention to order when
it assembles ?

9Q. Who presides at a school meeting?

100. Who presides at a town caucus ?

10 1. Who presides at a county convention ?

102. In which ward, if city, do 3h:)u live?

103. How many election districts in vour ward ?

104. In what direction is Yund, Kennedy cV Yund's
mill from the corner ot .\hiin and Market streets?

105. In what direction i.s the Academy from St.
Mary's Institute ?

ANSWERS. 53

io6. In what direction is the electric car station
from Market street ?

107. What is a Board ot Education ?

108. Ot how many members may a Board of
Education be composed ?

109. Name and locate the largest manufacturing

plants in the county,

no. Name the State Superintendent ot Public

Instruction.

III. Name the only town that does not touch the

river.

Answers. Part II.

1. Eastern part.

2. Southeastern part.

3. Western part.

4. Fonda,

5. The court house, jail, and sheriff's office.

6. At Fonda.

7. A competitive exhibition of wares and farm

products.

8. In the court house at Fonda; by the County

Judge.

9. Five.

10. I. A Justice's Court.

54 ^ ANSWERS.

II. A Jury for laying out new roads.

III. A Coroner's Jury.

IV. A Trial Jury.

V. A Grand Jury.

11. Northeastern part of the town of Amsterdam.

12. In the central part of the town of Palatine.

13. In the southern part of the town of Canajo-
harie.

14. In the southeastern part of the town of
Charleston.

15. In the southcentral part of the town ot Glen.

16. In the northwestern part of the town of Min-
den.

17. In the eastern part ot the town of Glen, on
the Schoharie.

18. It is a road, or route, over which vehicles run
from station to station for the accommodation of the
public.

19. By mail messengers, appointed by the gov-
ernment of the U. S.

20. The government, or "Uncle Sam."

21. N. Y. C. and H. R. R. R.

22. The principal lines, nv routes, over which thQ
mails are carried in the U. S.

ANSWERS. 55

23. In the southwestern part of the town of Can-

ajoharie.

24. In the southern part of the town of Minden.

25. In the central part of the town of Florida.

26. They are used in brewing to give a bitter

taste.

27. No, not to any great extent.

28. (a) They should not be cut away, (b) They
draw moisture, assist in holding back water that
falls upon the earth, and are a means of preventing

floods.

30. Maple, elm, hickory, bass-wood, hem-lock,

pine oak, beech, birch, cedar, and many others.

3, (a) The Schoharie. (b) It descends more
rapidly than the Mohawk and affords better con-
ditions for damming.

y (a) A barrier built across a water course to
prevent the flow ol water, of wood or masonry, is

called a dam.

(b) A dam built bv beavers.

33. A water course that helps to supply the canal

with water.

34. (a) An overfall for the overflow of the super-
fluous water from a canal or reservoir, (b) There is
one below Amsterdam city about one mile. (Any one.)

$6 ANSWERS.

35. (a) An inclosure in a canal with gates at each
end, used in raising or lowering boats as they pass
from one level to another.

36. Because the land slopes, and, as water seeks
its level; they are necessary to produce level sections.

37. (a) The path upon which the horses walk while
towing a boat or raft is a tow path, [h) The bank
across the canal from the tow-path. It is also called
the berme bank.

38. A place where sacred relics are deposited.

39. It is thought that Jesuits who preached among
the Indians, were killed and buried there, or near there.

40. South.

41. South; by stage.

43. North; by stage.

44. East; N. Y. C. and H. R. R. R.

45. Nelliston, Palatine Bridge, Sprakers, Yosts,
Fonda, Tribes Hill, Fort Johnson, and Amsterdam.

46. A channel for carrying water.

47. (a) A company of men, having a charter from
the state or states through which their railroad passes.

(b) Same as (a), and states.

48. A charge or burden laid upon persons or prop-
erty for the support of a government.

49. Direct and indirect.

ANSWERS. 57

53. Fifteen. In a county there will be as many
Supervisors as there are wards in a city, if any, and
towns.

57. (a) The Schoharie and the East Canada Creek,
[b] The Schoharie, [c] East Canada Creek,

58. The Schoharie.

59. Thirty-eight.

60. Seven.

62. An association of farmers, designed to further
their interests, and particularly to bring producers and
consumers, farmers and manufacturers, into direct
commercial relations, without intervention of middle
men, or traders.

63. A hollo\A' place in the earth, either natural or
artificial.

64. In the town of Charleston.

66. Mineral Kingdom.

67. Trout, bass, suckers, bull-head, eel, pike, carp,
perch, white fish, and chubby.

68. A rule of being or of conduct, established by
an authority able to enforce its will.

69." [a] A law which protects the game of a state,
[b] In order to give the birds, fish, deer, etc., a
chance to propagate.
70, Eleven miles.

58 ANSWERS.

71. About twenty-nine miles.

72. Agriculture and manufacturing.

'jd. A majority of the Board of Supervisors.

78. The Sheriff.

79. Four hundred.

80. The Town Board, consisting of the Supervisor,
Town Clerk, and the four Justices of the Peace.

81. The Inspectors of Election.

82. The Town Clerk and a majority of the Justices
of the town.

87. (a) Street Superintendent; (b) Street Superin-
tendent.

88. The District Clerk.

89. Filed at the Town Clerk's office.

90. The manufacturing of carpets, linseed oil, knit-
ted goods, wagon springs, and boilers.

91. (a) ; (b) By the Government, at a stated salary,
which is received every three months.

94. Same as any railway, except the motive power,
which is electricity, is furnished from the plant, where
it is generated, by wires: one strung in the air over the
centre of the track, supported by poles at the side; and
the other along side of the rail just beneath the sur-
face. These wires have constant currents of electric-
ity pasbing over them, and the circuit is completed by

GLOSSARY. 59

means of a trolly. Each car is supplied with a power-
ful dynamo.

95. A political primary meeting.

96 The act of delegates coming together for the
purpose of nominating county candidates or delegates
to send to higher conventions.

97. The Town Committee.

98. The Chairman of the County Committee.

99. Whoever the electors may choose; he or she is
called a chaix'man

100. Whoever the electors may choose; he is called
a chairman.

loi. Whoever the delegates may choose; he is
called a chairman.

104. East.

105. Northeast..

106. West.

108, From 3 to 9 numbers.

1 10. James F. Crooker.

111. Charleston.

Glossary.

Cayadutta Cay-a-dutt-ah.

Cadaughrita Caw-daw-rit-awe.

Caugbnaughwaga Caw-naw-wa-ga,

6o PLAN AND CONTENTS.

Chuctanunda Chuc-ta-nun-da.

Cowillakill Co-wil-la-kill. (kill ineRn^ creek).

Dadanoscara Daw-dan-nos-kaw-raw.

Kanagara Kan-awe-gaw-raw,

Kayaderosseros Kaw-awe-der-os-ser os.

Maquaes Ma.kaw-es. (Mohawk),

Nowadaga Now-awe-daw-gaw.

Otsquago .... Ot-squaw-go.

Ograckie ()g-raw-kie. (Arieskill).

Oswegatchie Os-we-gatch-ie.

PlattekilL...Plat-te-kill.

Tuechtananda We-ch-tan-an-daw-

Tinghtananda Tin-gh-tan-an-daw.

TionondogLie Ti-on-on-do-ke.

Wasonthakill Wa-so-tha-kill.

Note. — The Plattekill is not Indian, but German; so I am in-
formed.

PLAN AND CONTENTS.

Plan for Teaching the Geography of Mont-
gomery County.

I.— MAP.
The teacher should draw, on the black-board, an out-

PLAN AND CONTENTS. 6 1

line of the county, and in it on dotted lines mark the
number of miles in the greetest distance across it east
and west, also north and south.

Teach the pupils the directions. Have the pupils
fill in the boundary lines of towns, both artificial and
natural, and, also, locate the city and larger villages.

2.— TOWNS, CITY, AND VILLAGES.

Teach the pupils to name the towns in their alpha-
betical order.

Make imaginary journeys to the city and to larger
villages.

Have the pupils describe the city or village after
they have actually visited it

3.— MOUNTAINS AND HILLS.

Develop definition, and teach uses. Draw in the
outline the higher hills in the county.

4.— RIVERS.

Develop definition, and teach uses. Draw in the
outline the Mohawk and the Schoharie (part of), and
the other streams that empty into the Mohawk.

5.— ISLANDS.

Develop definition, and teach the pupils to locate
them.

62 PLAN AND CONTENTS.

6.— CANAL.

Develop definitions, and teach uses. Draw the canal
in the outline.

7.— RAILROADS.

Develop definition, and teach uses. Draw in the
outline the railroads of the county.

8,~PR0DUCTI0NS,

Definition given.

(a) Agricultural. )

(b) Manufactured. V Name important ones.

^.—HISTORICAL QUESTIONS.
The same as when you teach history.

10.— CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

Teach the titles of county officers, town ofificers, and
school officers; and their duties.

II.— SCHOOLS.

Teach the leading facts concerning the schools of
the county.

12.— POST OFFICES.

Name, and locate by use of map, the P. O. in the
county.

PLAN AND CONTENTS.

13.— PART II. REVIEW QUESTIONS, AND
ANSWERS.

Teach in usual way.
14.— GLOSSARY.
15,— PLAN.

-^ikmjM-^j^ --jg

Books for New York Schools.

A Brief History of the Empire State, for Schools and Families. By Welland
Hendrick, a. M. Cloth, small 4to, pp. 201. 75 cents.

This book has proved one of the great successes, more than one hundred
schools having officially adopted it during the .school year 1891-92. On petition
of the principals of Regents' schools this subject has been made part of the Re-
gents' course of study, with special questions in the examinations, and the De-
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certificates. Whether used as a history, or as a supplementary reading-book, it
has given universal satisfaction, and it is to-day the most popular text-book in
every school where itis used. Do not think the village and city schools alone
can use it. The smallest district .school may buy half a dozen copies for its lar-
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.school will listen. This is a day when New York history is coming to the front,
and intelligent teachers will see to it that their schools keep up with the pro-
cession,

2. CivH Government for Com )ii<>n Schools, prepared as a manual for public
instruction in the State of New York. To which are appended the Constitution
of the State of New York as amended at the election of 1SS2, the Constitution of
the United States, and the Declaration of Independance, etc., etc. By Henry
C. NoRTHAM. i6mo, cloth, pp, 220. 75 cents.

Whether it was that this book was made because the time demanded it, or
that the publication of a book which made the teaching of Civil Government
practicable led to a general desire that it should be taught, certain it is that this
subject, formerlv regarded as a "finishing" branch in the high school, is now
found on every teacher's examination paper, and is commonly taught in dis-
trict schools. Equally certain it is that in the State of New York this text -book
is used more than all others combined, while the special edition prepared for
Missouri was exhausted in a month.

3. A Chart of Civil Government. By Charles T. Pooler. Sheets 12x18, 5
cents. The same folded for the pocket, in cloth covers, 25 cents

Some commissioners have purchased these charts by the hundred and pre-
sented one to everj' school house in the county.

4. Common School Laic for Common School Tenchers. A digest of the pro-
visions of statute and common law as to the Relations of the Teacher to the Pu-
pil, the Parent, and the District. With 500 references to legal decisions in 28
differeut States. i6th edition, with Introduction for School Trustees, containing
the most important General Provisions of the School Law. By C. W. Bardeen.
i6mo, cloth, pp. 166. 75 cents.

• This has been since 1875 the standard authority upon the teacher's relations,
and is frequently' quoted in legal decisions. The new edition is much more
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structions, and a digest of Decisions. 8vo, leather, pp. 807. $4.00.

This is what is known as "The New Code of 1888," and contains all re-visions
of the State school-law to date.

6. Rise and Progress of the Xeiv York School System,. By A. E. S'chepmoes.
Leatherette, i6mo. pp. 32. 35 cents.

C. W. BARDEEN, Publisher, Syracuse, N. Y,

Young & Striker,

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16 Rt^ 18 E. MAIN STREET, AMSTERDAM, N. Y.

SCHOOL BOOKS ANDSCHOOL SUPPLIES,

Bibles, Sunday School Books, Standard Books and
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New Books ordered and received weekly.

A complete line of Business and Fancy Stationery.

Health and Long Life in Riding Bicycles.

Coliimbias, American Ramblers, Hartfords,

New Mails.

Cushion or Pneumatic Tires. All Standards, No Experiments.

Also a large line of Boys' Wheels. Bicycles to rent and
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Care should be taken to GET THE BEST.

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The work of revision occupied over ten years,
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We have the largest display of Stoves and

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— ARE THE LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF —

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Banners, Ribbon Badges, Decorations and

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SPECIAL PRICES TO SCHOOLS.

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Complete C^'italogue free, and the Finest Goods at the Low-
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Interest allowed on all deposits of one dollar or

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Call or Send for circulars to

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LEONARD F. FISH,

Attorney and Counselor at Law,

FULTONVILLE, N. Y.

JERE. S. SITTERLY,

Attorney and Counselor at Law,

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Trial of Causes, Collections, Business in Surrogates Courts.

Pretty Decorated Dinner Sets from $8 to $60.

Choice Patterns of Cliamber Sets from

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Donlon's Crock:ery Store,

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secures good positions for good teachers with good records.
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W. A. CHOATE & CO., ) p . H. P. FRENCH. Mgi'.,

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Heating.

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For Prices and other information address

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Representiug GINN & CO.. Publishers.

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32 E. MAIN ST.. AMSTERDAM, N. Y.

Oak Hall Clothing Store.

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